Improved mosquito-bar



N.PEIERS. PHOTO-LITMOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

-NITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE..

IMPROVED MOSQUITO-BAR.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 39,116, dated July 7, 1863.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ASA L. CARRIER, of Washington city and county, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Portable lnsectShield, and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference thereon marked.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation showing the frame, &c.,( without net,) extended in position for use. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 shows the frame, te., folded up. Fig. 4 is aplan view showing the net and the manner of attaching the tensioncords. Fig. 5 shows the lower half of the center clamp. Fig. 6 shows one of the operating levers or handles. Fig. 7 shows the curve of the stirrup-levers which serves to strain apart the bracing-wires.

The nature of my invention consists in constructing a portable insect-shield in such a manner as to be operated from the outside at its apex, as will be fully set forth hereinafter.

AA are the operating levers or handles, having a shoulder, b, working against shoulder d of levers B.

B B are stirrup-shaped levers, pivoted upon the studs a of the levers A. The inner ends of these levers B are provided with studs c, which fit into Journalboxes in the clamping center-piece.

C is the center clamp, which is constructed of two pieces, one of which is shown in Fig. 5. The other piece is similar, with the exception that it has a rivet-hole instead of a rivet, o.

e e e e are the boxes for the studs c.

i i t' i are slots in the edges of the clamp for the reception of the eyes of the brace-rods.

n is a curved groove in the clamp for the reception of a wire, m, which serves as a pivot for the braces.

D D D D are the brace-rods, upon which the net is stretched in such a manner as to form a canopy in the form of a groined arch. These arms D are pivoted by the wires m to the center clamp, C. They are each provided with a rule-joint, E, so that the lower halves of the braces can be doubled up outwardly, so as to occupy a short space when the shield is folded.

p p are eyes to the upper halves of the rulejoints for the attachment of the tension-cords 1.

g q are the eyes at the lower extremities of the braces for the attachment of the tensioncords 2.

s is a hasp attached to one ofthe operating- The cords are indicated by red lines iu Figs.l

l and 4.

The blue lines in Fig. 4 show a piece of cloth or sheet-rubber, through which the lower and forked endsof the levers A pass. This piece should be cut and sewed so as to make as small an opening around the levers as possible. The frame being properly extended, I take a piece of common (or other) mosquito-net, of a rectangular form, and stretch it over the frame, and secure it thereto properly by means of stitching.

When I wish to spread my shield for use, I unfold it, shaking out the folds of the net, and grasping the handles A, compress them together until I can clasp and secure them by means of the hasp s. In this operation it will be noticed that the clamp C becomes afulcrum, and that when the shoulders b of lever 'A butt against the shoulders d of lever B the two levers become rigid and constitute (in effect) but one bent lever, having its fnlcrum at C, the weight upon the outer curve of the lever B and the power at the upper end of lever A. Both of the bent levers A B operate similarly, and simultaneously raise up and spread out the brace-rods D.

It will be seen that the stirrup-leversB are provided with an upward curve or angle, as shown in Fig 7, for the following reason: When the shield is folded,the braces hang from the clasp C, nearly side by side, passing over the levers B. Now, as these levers are separated until they are both brought into the same plane, they raise with them the braces, which are forced apart by the curves of levers B, which operate as a wedge, thus giving a proper strain and radiation to the braces.

When I wish to fold the shield, I unclasp the hasp, reverse the position of handles A, depressing the curved parts of levers B, and double up the braces, as shown in Fig. 3,

and then wrap around the frame the net. In this compact form the shield is perfectly portable, occupying but a very small space, say about four inches square and from sixteen to twenty inches lon g.

My improved shield is of especial advantage when designed to protect those unable to use it themselves, as infants or the sick and Wounded, for it is operated entirely from the outside, and the nurse can take it by the handle and lift it oft' or on the bed, like a dishcover, and fold it away, without the slightest disturbance or exertion ofthe party protected.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters, is

1. A portable insect shield so constructed as to-be operated from the outside, substantially as described, by means of levers A and B.

2. Levers A, constructed and operating as described, in combination With levers B.

3. Levers B, constructed and operating as described, for the purposes set forth.

4. The clasp C, constructed and operating as described, for the purposes set forth.

5. The braces D, constructed and operati n g as described, in combination with tension' cords l and 2.

In testimony that I claim the above I hereunto set my hand.

ASA L. CARRIER.

vitnesses Jo. C. CLAYTON, JOHN O. BAKER. 

